"Now in with you to cover," I commanded, waving my salt fish as it had been a marshal's baton. At the same moment I turned, ran up the wet slope where a spring bubbled out of the wood's edge and spread itself over the stones, and sprang behind a thick screen of viburnums. My companions were beside me on the instant,—but it was not an instant too soon. As we paused to look back, there were the canoes coming furiously around the point.
Staying not long to observe them, I led the way straight into the darkness of the woods, aiming for the seashore at the other side of the point. But Tamin was not satisfied.
"Our road lies straight up yon river," said he.
"My friend," said I, "we must e'en find another road to Shulie. Those fellows will be sure to agree that we have gone that way. Knowing that I am a cunning woodsman, they will say, 'He will make them to run in the water, and so leave no trail.' And they will give hot chase up the river."
"But there be two rivers," objected Tamin.
"Bien," said I, "they will divide their party, and give hot chase up two rivers!"
"And in the meanwhile?" inquired Marc.
"I'll find the way to Shulie," said I. "The stars and the sun are guide enough! I know the main lay of all these coasts."